The Portland United Methodist Church will be hosting a 175 year celebration Sunday. This event will be held rain or shine.

The celebration begins with a worship service under a tent in the church parking lot. The service begins at 2 p.m. and is followed by a potluck at 3:15 p.m. Pulled pork and drinks will be provided, but those joining in the potluck should bring a dish to pass capable of serving eight to 10 persons.

Parking for the event is available at the First Baptist and First Congregational Churches from 1:15-5 p.m.

"We are so thankful for all of their help in this celebration. We really want to invite the whole community. We have a great ministerial group and we get along well with other churches. This is a celebration of all of us," said Rev. Keith Treman.

According to Treman, this celebration is a way for the church and community to celebrate their past and pave the way toward their future.

"We are celebrating 175 years of Methodism in the Portland area. When you look at the past and all the hurdles this church has gone through, it's important to remember that the people of the past were committed and left a wonderful heritage. I want people 175 years from now to thank us for keeping the faith," said Treman.

According to Jan Mosser, the co-chair of the staff parish committee, the Methodist faith in Portland has survived three fires.

"The people persevered. They didn't even miss services after the fires," said Mosser.

The present church was built in 1914, but the first organized Methodist service in the area began in 1838. According to Treman, Methodism began when the first white settlers entered the area in the mid-1830s. In the early days, services were held in homes and schoolhouses, according to Mosser. In 1877, a white frame church was built but when it was struck by lightning in 1912, it burned to the ground.

The present church includes an educational wing, which was added to the structure in 1964. The educational wing now hosts Sunny Bunch Christian Childcare Center and pre-school. Sunny Bunch is now enrolling for the fall. Call 616-647-6088 for more information.

Despite many ups and downs in the past, Ruth Ann Peake, the chair of the finance committee, said that the church has remained a safe haven for members of the community.

Services at Portland United Methodist are typically held at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Sundays, but with the celebration this week, the only service will be held at 2 p.m.

According to Treman, the church typically has approximately 175 congregationalists who attend Sunday services.

"We have 175 people and growing. It's so important to bring in young people because they are the future of this church," said Peake.

Page 2 of 2 - For the celebration this Sunday, former pastors will be joining as part of the service and other churches in the area will be joining in the event.

"This is a celebration of all of us. St. Pats, the Baptist Church and First United Methodist were all started in the same decade. We work well together and really, we are one body," said Treman.

The First United Methodist Church is inviting the entire community to join in their 175 Year Celebration this Sunday. Tables and chairs will be set up under a tent in the church parking lot and according to Treman, there is room for everyone.

"We have been here a long time. The reason for that is that we are friendly and accepting. The church is the people," Peake said.